Our Research
The hand hygiene at work research project is a collaboration between researchers from the Information School at the University of Sheffield, researchers from the School of Design at the University of Leeds and Savortex developers of smart hand hygiene products. The guidelines on this website stem from two research projects (1) the development and evaluation of a smart sanitiser for use in an office environment (2) mobile workers’ hand hygiene. The website was funded with an ESRC Impact Accelerator Account.
The development and evaluation of a smart sanitiser for use in an office environment
There is a need for improving hand hygiene practices among office workers, especially within the context of Covid-19. There is no single hand sanitiser on the market that offers the 4 capabilities of digital screen, touch-free, monitoring capabilities and app. Funded by Innovate UK, this project investigates in non-clinical settings.
- where sanitisers should be placed for optimal usage and to enhance sanitisation protocols; (led by University of Leeds)
- best practice for monitoring and access control strategies to increase hand hygiene and employee wellbeing; (led by University of Sheffield)
- how motion graphics/message strategies can influence sanitiser use (led by University of Leeds).
Research team
- Dr Sophie Rutter (Lecturer in Information Management, Information School, University of Sheffield). Sophie is the Sheffield Principal Investigator.
- Dr Andrew Madden (Researcher, Information School, University of Sheffield). Andrew is organising and analysing the quantitative strands of the research exploring attitudes to smart hand sanitisers in the workplace.
- Dr Sally Sanger (Researcher, Information School, University of Sheffield). Sally is conducting interviews on how hand hygiene data can be used and presented.
- Dr Sukaina Ehdeed (Researcher, Information School, University of Sheffield). Sukaina is leading a literature review on the how IoT data is used in the workplace
- Dr Catherine Stones (Associate Professor of Graphic Design, School of Design, University of Leeds). Catherine is the Leeds Principal Investigator.
- Wenbo Ai (Researcher, School of Design, University of Leeds).
Industry partner
- Nicholas Gill (Project Manager, Savortex)
Mobile workers’ hand hygiene
Accessing hygiene facilities (e.g. handwashing, toilets, sanitiser provision) on the move can be challenging. While covid has heightened and visibilised such need, availability of provision is not a new societal issue. For those who work on the move such as those who provide health and social care in the community, providing such services means that access to facilities is particularly important. Jointly funded by the Research England Covid Recovery Fund and Research England QR-Policy Support Funding.
This project commenced in January 2022 and funding runs through to July 2022. At present, we are speaking with those who work on the move about their experiences of access and provision of hygiene facilities. We are holding workshops and interviews with workers. For more information about this, please contact Lauren at l.e.white@sheffield.ac.uk
Research team
- Dr Sophie Rutter (Lecturer in Information Management, Information School, University of Sheffield). Sophie is the Principal Investigator.
- Dr Lauren White (Researcher, Information School / Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield). Lauren is co-leading collaborative workshops and interviews exploring access to hygiene facilities for those who work on the move.
- Dr Andrew Madden (Researcher, Information School, University of Sheffield). Andrew is co-leading collaborative workshops and interviews exploring access to hygiene facilities for those who work on the move.
- Catherine Robinson (Researcher, Information School, University of Sheffield). Catherine is developing content for knowledge exchange and impact.
Project partners
- Dr Catherine Stones (Associate Professor of Graphic Design, School of Design, University of Leeds)
